Renewal of USA passport by mail in Thailand (current details of the process once begun)

[Jingthing]

There have been a number of topics focused on preparing the application for renewal of USA passport by mail in Thailand.

 

However, I think what happens AFTER you sent away your application has not been covered as well. Or at least I don't think there has been a DEDICATED topic about that.

 

So that's my purpose here.

 

So let's assume you've completed the (arguably painful) application preparation and mailed it off.

 

So then what can you expect?

 

The embassy website says it can take 6 to 8 weeks.

However the consensus of recent reports appears to say closer to 4 weeks which would be great news if it's still true.

I have no idea if that's still the case so any very recent reports on timing of turnaround would be good to hear about.

 

So you send the package. Either by Thai Post or DHL.

 

I sent mine DHL and got the tracking saying it was successfully delivered.

I guess Thai Post tracks too.

 

So getting into some unknown areas.

 

I'm assuming the embassy does NOT send an acknowledgement that they got the package and there isn't a problem. Correct?

I'm also assuming (hoping) that they look at the package right away and contact you if you've made a mistake, need to fix something, send something more, etc. Fair assumption or not if you've had that unfortunate experience?

 

Then you wait.

 

It's my understanding from other reports that the embassy does send an email when they've mailed the new passport package back to you? Correct?

 

However, it's also my understanding that there is no tracking information with the required Thai Post courier package that we're required to purchase as part of the application process. Correct?

 

So in that case they've hopefully told you they've sent it, but you can't track the mailing. Certainly not ideal.

 

Have I missed something?

 

Are there other ways to get status updates from the embassy on the application or return mailing?

[jas007]

56 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

There have been a number of topics focused on preparing the application for renewal of USA passport by mail in Thailand.

 

However, I think what happens AFTER you sent away your application has not been covered as well. Or at least I don't think there has been a DEDICATED topic about that.

 

So that's my purpose here.

 

So let's assume you've completed the (arguably painful) application preparation and mailed it off.

 

So then what can you expect?

 

The embassy website says it can take 6 to 8 weeks.

However the consensus of recent reports appears to say closer to 4 weeks which would be great news if it's still true.

I have no idea if that's still the case so any very recent reports on timing of turnaround would be good to hear about.

 

So you send the package. Either by Thai Post or DHL.

 

I sent mine DHL and got the tracking saying it was successfully delivered.

I guess Thai Post tracks too.

 

So getting into some unknown areas.

 

I'm assuming the embassy does NOT send an acknowledgement that they got the package and there isn't a problem. Correct?

I'm also assuming (hoping) that they look at the package right away and contact you if you've made a mistake, need to fix something, send something more, etc. Fair assumption or not if you've had that unfortunate experience?

 

Then you wait.

 

It's my understanding from other reports that the embassy does send an email when they've mailed the new passport package back to you? Correct?

 

However, it's also my understanding that there is no tracking information with the required Thai Post courier package that we're required to purchase as part of the application process. Correct?

 

So in that case they've hopefully told you they've sent it, but you can't track the mailing. Certainly not ideal.

 

Have I missed something?

 

Are there other ways to get status updates from the embassy on the application or return mailing?

I've never done the renewal process from Thailand, but when I did it in the USA, I not only sent the passport to the processing center by trackable US express mail, I sent inside that same package a trackable return US express mail envelope.   So the whole thing was trackable from the beginning.  

 

 

[Jingthing]

Thanks.

 

However the renewal by mail in Thailand has a number of differences from renewal in the US. 

 

So really only information and reports about renewal  by mail in Thailand are really relevant to this topic. 

[1FinickyOne]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

the (arguably painful) application preparation and mailed it off.

As someone who dislikes both pain and paperwork, I assigned the task to my visa agent, who called me when it was completed...  and I went to his office and picked it up

[Jingthing]

Just now, 1FinickyOne said:

As someone who dislikes both pain and paperwork, I assigned the task to my visa agent, who called me when it was completed...  and I went to his office and picked it up

Understood.

A good option for many.

However this topic isn't about that option. 

[jas007]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Thanks.

 

However the renewal by mail in Thailand has a number of differences from renewal in the US. 

 

So really only information and reports about renewal  by mail in Thailand are really relevant to this topic. 

So, can you, or can you not arrange for tracking both ways, when renewing within Thailand?  And if not, why? 

[jas007]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Thanks.

 

However the renewal by mail in Thailand has a number of differences from renewal in the US. 

 

So really only information and reports about renewal  by mail in Thailand are really relevant to this topic. 

I just did 30 seconds of research on Perplexity.  And if you had done that, you wouldn't have raised this issue in the first place.

 

What they say:

 

•    Use Thailand Post Express Mail, Registered Mail, or DHL courier service. Always obtain a tracking number for your outgoing package.

 

4. Provide a Prepaid Return Envelope
    •    Purchase a prepaid courier envelope online (e.g., via Thailand Post Mart) and include the order/receipt number with your application. This envelope will be used by the embassy to return your new passport to you.
    •    The embassy will use the provided prepaid envelope to mail your new passport back. This envelope will have its own tracking number, allowing you to track the return shipment as well.

 

5. Track Your Application and Passport
    •    Outbound (to the embassy): Use the courier or postal service’s tracking system to monitor delivery of your application package.
    •    Application status: Track the status of your renewal online at the U.S. Department of State’s passport status site: https://passportstatus.state.gov.
    •    Inbound (return to you): Use the tracking number from your prepaid return envelope (Thai Post or DHL) to monitor when your new passport is sent and delivered back to you.

 

 

 

 

 

[Jingthing]

Reports I've read indicate that when the embassy mails the new passport using the required Thai courier by Thai  post from the embassy envelope that if the embassy emails that they are sending it that they don't include a tracking number.

I could be wrong.

Looklng for confirming or refuting reports on that detail here.

The Thai post courier item costs 100 baht and you must purchase it yourself online and indicate on a required checklist that you have done that with the application package. Thai post sends that to the embassy  You don't. It can't be purchased at physical post offices. The product is customized for the US embassy. 

[KhunLA]

The embassy website gives all the details one needs.  As far as delivery time, I got mine in less than 2 weeks.  11 days rings a bell, but definitely in about 2 weeks.  That was 2 years ago, but they also had the same advisory, 'may take 5 to 6 weeks', which from prior years, knew was way off, and think time prior to last, only took a week, amazingly.

 

Found my old post, and took < 2 weeks from mailed in to received, and advisory at the time ...

 

 

[bamnutsak]

9 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Reports I've read indicate that when the embassy mails the new passport using the required Thai courier by Thai  post from the embassy envelope that if the embassy emails that they are sending it that they don't include a tracking number.

 

I am under the impression that the Thai Post Courier Pass Back service includes a tracking number for the final leg from USEMBBKK to you.

 

NOTE: ThailandPost Mart is responsible for accepting return envelope payment and providing tracking number for your reference ONLY. 

 

https://www.thailandpostmart.com/product/1013460000929?srsltid=AfmBOoqC1m4yTYizcKxi9oXc4GkqfQzh5hiPbntRSt8GGYQiEhI0-Fkb

 

And I've seen that mentioned in first-hand reports here and on FB/reddit.

 

So I think you can track three legs 

 

you to EMB

U.S.A. passport processing center to EMB

EMB to you

 

 

 

 

[HappyExpat57]

I've only had to renew mine once from Thailand. I used this outfit:

 

https://thaivisa-express.com/

 

They caught a mistake made by the idiots at the photo shop - I had told them I needed US-sized photos, they gave me UK, and to the untrained eye they look very similar. That alone saved my months of wondering where in the world (literally) my passport was. They appear to do UK passports according to their website but they do US as well, maybe other countries. And the gals at the desk are very easy on the eyes. WELL worth the price.

[Jingthing]

Thanks for the feedback.

So at this point I think I will be able to track the Thai Post courier via information from the purchase.

There is also a general passport tracking system to use.

 

Remove space and copy to load link:

https: //passportstatus.state.gov

[1FinickyOne]

18 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Understood.

A good option for many.

However this topic isn't about that option. 

Renewal of USA passport by mail in Thailand

 

my mistake? 

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, 1FinickyOne said:

Renewal of USA passport by mail in Thailand

 

my mistake? 

If you read the OP, it is clearly implied that the topic is about self directed applications.

Not what happens if you an agent.

I'm not at all against using agents for this.

I looked into it decided against that and the reason was NOT the cost.

I would strongly advise others to consider agents if their locality has them that do US passport renewals though.

But this topic is not about that.

 

[Jingthing]

There is a detail that I'm still unclear about.

I recall reading reports that the embassy does send an email at the time that they mail you your new passport package.

Is that really true?

Recent and within the last few years reports about that detail appreciated.

 

[1FinickyOne]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

If you read the OP, it is clearly implied that the topic is about self directed applications.

Not what happens if you an agent.

I'm not at all against using agents for this.

I looked into it decided against that and the reason was NOT the cost.

I would strongly advise others to consider agents if their locality has them that do US passport renewals though.

But this topic is not about that.

 

when I ask a question I might get 10% of the answers that are even remotely related to my question - - you are 'le-e-it mahk' - - very precise. Of course, if you used the agent method you probably wouldn't have to ask the question... 

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

when I ask a question I might get 10% of the answers that are even remotely related to my question - - you are 'le-e-it mahk' - - very precise. Of course, if you used the agent method you probably wouldn't have to ask the question... 

Using an agent is a different ball of wax.

A person would have different issues using an agent.

Such as about trust of the particular agent that they really know what they're doing.

Clearly, the more granular concerns of doing a self directed application are something you hopefully avoid by paying an agent.

 

[Jingthing]

Well today I got an email from the State Department saying my passport application is being reviewed and "in process" and was received two days earlier.

I hadn't registered for such notifications. 

So it took a total of twelve days from the date it was received at the Bangkok embassy to be recorded as received by the state department. 

The email states an expected waiting time of between four and six weeks from the date of receipt by the state department though of course it could hopefully be less.

I'm assuming that timing doesn't include mailing to Thailand and the mailing within Thailand.

Not clear whether the more recent reports a one month wait time from time of receipt at the embassy are still relevant but at this point that seems optimistic.

[NickyLouie]

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Well today I got an email from the State Department saying my passport application is being reviewed and "in process" and was received two days earlier.

I hadn't registered for such notifications. 

 

 

Oh really ?

 

More like you emailed them and got a reply , that's how it works ......

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, NickyLouie said:

 

Oh really ?

 

More like you emailed them and got a reply , that's how it works ......

Yes really.

I didn't email anyone about my passport status.

I did not register for email updates on the official passport status page.

I had checked a few days ago and it said no record yet.

Dude, why would i lie about a thing like this?!?
That would be insane.

Anyway, I did get the email today completely 100 percent unsolicited.

I was happy to see that they got it of course.

I was planning on checking again on the official site on Monday.

Maybe they will keep sending status updates but I can always check on the official status page.

[Jingthing]

Update:

 

I was concerned that given the staff cuts at the State Department and also as we're getting into more peak traveling season in the U.S. that the long reported really fast turn around times for renewal from Thailand may have changed.

 

Well so far so good. So people can consider this a fresh report that seems to indictate that these passports from abroad are getting priority treatment even though we can't buy expedited service from abroad.

 

Specifically -- 

24 days from my passport package arriving at the Bangkok embassy to an email from the State Department indicating the new passport package is being sent back.

[Jingthing]

But now that I know my new passport package is headed to or already in Bangkok, I have some possible issues. 

 

First question --

In your experience within the last year or two, has the Bangkok embassy sent you an email to tell you when they have mailed the package back to your address? Currently that could only be with a Thai Post courier envelope.

 

Second question --

For passport processing issues is the Consular Contact Form on the embassy website the only way to contract the embassy?

Or is there a specific email for passport processing or even a phone number?

 

My case -- some possible weirdness with my Thai post purchase of courier envelope.

 

So logging into my Thai Post account I of course still have confirmation that I bought and paid for an envelope. It was required to send email proof of this to the embassy with the passport package. So I have the order number.

 

HOWEVER, 

Could just be bad design but currently on Thai Post website it doesn't look as if the envelope has been shipped to the embassy.

It might mean (hopefully) that the current screen is about the actual use of the envelope from the embassy to me.

There is now a tracking number related to the order.

It's not made clear if that tracking number is about the envelope being shipped to the embassy or the envelope with package being mailed to me.

The embassy website indicates that the latter tracking number will be sent to me in a separate email.

 

Quote

The tracking number will be provided in a separate email from the vendor. You may trace your passport after the processing time has passed by using the tracking number here https://track.thailandpost.co.th/

 

I did try to track with the number that shows on my order history at Thai Post but got not found.

 

An obvious explanation is that I'm very premature in checking, but there is enough weirdness / confusing info as stated about that I have concerns.

 

I assume (hopefully) that the embassy would contact me when they receive the new passport IF they never received the courier envelope.

 

Any feedback / recent experiences with similar appreciated.

[Jingthing]

Oh, one more obvious and very relevant information.

 

For those who got notifications from the State Department about their passport processing (Thai expats only).

 

Approximately how many days from when the email notification says it was sent to the embassy until you got evidence that it was sent to you (by email from the embassy if they do that) or it actually arriving?

 

 

[555thDegree]

I just received my new passport in Bangkok yesterday.

 

Total processing time seemed pretty quick.

 

May 7th, mailed passport to embassy.

May 8th, passport received by security at embassy.

May 23rd, got State Dept email that it is being processed.

May 24th(!), got email that the State Dept had sent it.

June 5th, it arrived at my home via the prepaid Thai Post courier envelope.

 

Aside from friendly replies to my questions via the contact page, I never received any confirmation from the embassy itself that they had received  my passport or mailed it.

 

Also, the Thai Post tracking system never could find my courier tracking number, even though they had obviously recently mailed it to me...

 

Overall, it was painless and fast, but it was pretty stressful not having any idea where my passport was for about a month.

 

[Jingthing]

3 hours ago, 555thDegree said:

I just received my new passport in Bangkok yesterday.

 

Total processing time seemed pretty quick.

 

May 7th, mailed passport to embassy.

May 8th, passport received by security at embassy.

May 23rd, got State Dept email that it is being processed.

May 24th(!), got email that the State Dept had sent it.

June 5th, it arrived at my home via the prepaid Thai Post courier envelope.

 

Aside from friendly replies to my questions via the contact page, I never received any confirmation from the embassy itself that they had received  my passport or mailed it.

 

Also, the Thai Post tracking system never could find my courier tracking number, even though they had obviously recently mailed it to me...

 

Overall, it was painless and fast, but it was pretty stressful not having any idea where my passport was for about a month.

 

Thanks very much for all that detail. 

What's most surprising is how long it took for your passport to get from the embassy to you. Why??? If it was sent from state on May 24 considering the weekend it was presumably at the embassy by the 27th. That means it took about nine days to get from the embassy to you. Maybe the embassy is short staffed now. Normally 2  to 4 days max for domestic mail

 

Another question.

On the day it arrived did Thai Post call you to announce it or did it just arrive as a regular letter?

 

 

[555thDegree]

Yeah, the whole timing is a mystery.

 

I think it would normally take 3-5 days for delivery from the embassy, but in my case there was a weekend and a Thai holiday, so...  add a few days, who knows?

 

Also, I'm not sure if the 'passport processing center' ( I think it is in TX or PA) mails it directly to the embassy, or if it first gets sent to (for example) Cali or Seattle, and then redirected here.

 

Anyway, I never got any confirmation when the envelope arrived at my condo, and as far as I know nobody signed off on it.  There was just a yellow envelope at the usual delivery pickup desk. I was lucky to spot it.